Open Strings runs free weekly violin and cello sessions for children in two Bristol primary schools, in areas where private tuition is well out of reach for most families.

Demand has outgrown what the programme can currently offer: 30 children are on a waiting list, and the main obstacle isn't tutor time but instruments — there simply aren't enough violins and cellos in a size children can use to go around.

This campaign funds a set of student-size instruments, basic sheet music for the whole group, and a modest bursary so two more part-time tutors can join the existing team.

Instrument access is the single biggest barrier keeping 30 children off this programme; this campaign removes it.

Daniel Okafor studied violin performance before moving into community music education. He founded Open Strings in 2018 and has since trained four volunteer tutors to help run sessions across two schools.

Daniel Okafor (lead tutor), Priya Chandra and Sam Whitlock (incoming part-time tutors, subject to funding).

12 student-size violins and cellos: €3,600. Sheet music and teaching materials for 30 additional pupils: €600. Tutor bursary (two part-time tutors, one term): €1,800.

At the minimum amount, the programme would fund the instruments and materials first, and open one part-time tutor bursary rather than two — serving roughly 18 of the 30 waiting children rather than all 30.

Instrument costs are estimated from current supplier quotes and could rise; any shortfall would reduce the number of instruments purchased rather than the number of pupils accepted, with a shared/rotating instrument schedule as a fallback.

€10 — a thank-you card made by the pupils. €30 — the above plus an invite to the end-of-term open session. €75 — the above plus your name on the programme's supporter board for the year.

Both schools provide the rehearsal space free of charge; existing tutor time is provided by Daniel and volunteer tutors at no cost to the programme.